The sky outside gradually brightened, and as the morning light shone in, the palace servants cautiously went in and out, extinguishing the lanterns and taking them away.
The Emperor and Empress silently burned the last handful of paper money. The Crown Prince rose to burn incense and replenish the lamps. As he turned near a large pillar in the hall, he paused.
Eunuch Wu, assisting the Crown Prince with the lamps, slightly raised his head and saw Manbao leaning against the large pillar, her head nestled against it, deeply asleep. It was unclear when she had dragged a cushion over to rest her knees, but she was not kneeling properly, appearing to be sitting instead, with one hand resting on her left medical box...
Due to white curtains hanging in the hall, the pillar was wrapped with white hemp, which hung down just enough to shield her. No one noticed her hiding there last night.
